Karpeles Manuscript Library - Santa Barbara, California

The Karpeles Manuscript Library is a unique and fascinating destination for anyone interested in history and literature. Located at Address: 21 W Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, this library is home to an impressive collection of original manuscripts and documents from some of the world's most famous writers, scientists, and historical figures.

Visitors to the library can explore the extensive collection, which includes documents such as the original draft of the Bill of Rights, handwritten letters from Abraham Lincoln, and manuscripts from Charles Dickens and Mark Twain. The library also hosts rotating exhibits, so there's always something new to see.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library is committed to making its resources accessible to everyone, and offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot. The library has received 15 reviews on Google My Business, with an impressive average opinion of 4.7/5.

One of the unique features of the Karpeles Manuscript Library is its focus on preserving and sharing original documents. Unlike many museums and libraries, which may only have copies of famous documents, the Karpeles Manuscript Library prides itself on having the real thing. This provides visitors with a truly unique and authentic experience.

If you're planning a visit to the Karpeles Manuscript Library, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, the library is closed on Sundays, so be sure to plan your visit for another day of the week. Additionally, the library is a popular destination, so it's a good idea to allow plenty of time to explore the collection.

Finally, if you're interested in learning more about the Karpeles Manuscript Library or want to plan a visit, be sure to check out the library's website at karpeles.com. The website offers information on current exhibits, hours of operation, and contact information.

Reviews of Karpeles Manuscript Library

Oscar

5/5

The Karpeles Manuscript Library is a must visit. From the inspirational written word to eclectic and surprising historical gold. At every turn I was happily surprised by what was on display. The experience was amplified by the beautiful Ms.Alexandra, who with great aptitude provided a wealth of information on particular documents I was interested in. Truth be told I was interested in everything. The Karpeles Manuscript Library, a hidden gem in Santa Barbara. Visit respectfully and enjoy. I sure did and will be visiting again.

Marisa Scarbeau

5/5

We walked by this place and decided to take a peek inside because the name of it was intriguing. We were immediately greeted by a wonderful lady who explained a little history/details about the library, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that admission was free! I am SO GLAD that we stopped to look around. We ended up spending almost 2 hours in the place! It was full of cool manuscripts, artifacts, items from history, and detailed information. It was very inclusive of different countries, religions, beliefs, and theories. We kept being delightfully surprised with every turn. We had never heard of the library before, and have since found out that there are several of them in America, and now we are hoping we get to stumble upon another one sometime. I highly recommend checking it out if you are in Santa Barbara for the day (like we were) or staying there on holiday.

Amanda S

5/5

We walked by and my daughter wanted to stop in. I’m so glad we did. There were so many cool manuscripts and artifacts.

Melody Bradley

5/5

Diane was very helpful and knowledgeable. Lovely museum with lots of interesting manuscripts.

Barry Hand

5/5

A fantastic collection of documents and artifacts! The subject matter is very inclusive of history, religion, science, music, literature and art. Spend an hour or a day admiring historic documents from our lifetime back to early civilization s. Gather your family and friends, attendance is free. An investment of your time will be rewarded with a most enjoyable experience.

Steve Morse

5/5

I went there 25+ years ago, I enjoyed it.
I was in the next street over today (Mon, 11/07/2022 - 11:18 PM ) with a friend, I should have gone again!
One of the few things in Santa Barbara that is free.

Christopher K

5/5

Very interesting museum covering a wide range of topics. It’s free, a great walk-through, and the people who work here are super knowledgeable and friendly. Recommend a visit!

Claire Ashman

3/5

Rich man, bought "stuff", financed a building to put it in & called it a museum. Free admission.